Connecticut Experiential Learning Center

Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC) of Branford combines exceptional academics with hands-on and real-world learning experiences for 5th – 8th grade students.

CELC offers an experiential environment within right-sized classes designed to personalize learning. Middle school becomes an exciting adventure when the academics are integrated with field experiences, within and beyond the classroom walls.

Our students come from a variety of towns throughout Connecticut, from families looking for a program that engages and deepens learning, where their children thrive during these important and impactful 5th- 8th grade years.

The intention of the Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC) is to challenge students and nurture their highest potential. By providing a learning community based in the guiding principles of respect, integrity, responsibility and individual learning, the innate desire of all children to learn, grow, communicate, and create is honored.

Through a successful summer program, CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) has now experienced in-person teaching during these times of COVID-19. The Branford middle school plans to open for five days a week, full-time in-person classes in the fall; they will also offer options where families can choose to be fully remote or participate in a combination of in-person and remote learning. Additional classes for those who are homeschooling will also be available, such as digital photography and playwriting in partnership with Long Wharf Theatre. CELC is on schedule with plans to hire additional faculty and staff. In addition, the school is expanding to include a fourth grade.

The effort is underway to build the program to have over 20 students, while maintaining the same 6:1 student-teacher ratio. CELC’s new index tuition model is set up to allow families to pay what they can afford within a range that intends to bring in greater economic and ethnic diversity to the program.

There are so many to thank for bringing Mission Transition forward to continue to give students CELC’s transformational educational experience. CELC is also raising money specifically to purchase technology needed in the classroom to best accommodate the remote learning platform.

CELC is a 501c3 tax-exempt corporation. It welcomes students, families, faculty and staff of diverse nations, religions, ethnicities, gender identities and sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the CELC learning community.

More information is available at CTExperiential.org.